ABOUT MR.YOSHIDA

Finding success in the sauce

In 1968, at the age of 19, Junki Yoshida arrived in Seattle from Kyoto, Japan, seeking a piece of the American dream with only $500 in his pocket. Facing the hardships of adjusting to a new home and culture, Mr. Yoshida turned to karate as his salvation, ultimately working his way up to Japan Karate Federation’s chief instructor for the State of Washington.

Having little money for presents during the holidays, Mr. Yoshida started cooking batches of his family’s 60 year-old secret recipe for a gourmet teriyaki-based sauce in the basement of the karate school. He and his family gave bottles of the sauce to his karate students as Christmas gifts, and to his surprise and delight, students began requesting refills.

As word-of-mouth spread and demand grew, the Yoshida's decided to market their unique product and sell it in local grocery stores. From this humble beginning, Mr. Yoshida’s Original Gourmet Sauce was conceived.

Today this line of delicious sauces sells in stores throughout the United States, offering unique Asian flavors, versatility, and fun for everyday meals.

Mr. Yoshida has never forgotten where he came from and those who helped him over the years. For this reason, Mr. Yoshida continues to support many community organizations through sponsorships and fund-raising events. He has received numerous business and community awards for encouraging others to chase their own American dream.